Mitchell Fienemann

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2009
R:  1-6-0, 3.79 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 40.1 IP, 0.7 BB/9, 5.8 K/9 

Led the GCL Pirates in innings.  His ERA was less good than his other numbers, as he had a low WHIP due in large part to a very low walk rate.  His K rate was low, though.  His fastball reportedly sat in the upper-80s, but when I saw him in late 2010 it was more in the 85-87 range.

2010
A-:  3-3-0, 3.62 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 37.1 IP, 1.7 BB/9, 6.0 K/9 

Fienemann pitched respectably out of State College bullpen, showing good control but not missing many bats.

2011
A-:  1-2-5, 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 16.1 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 5.5 K/9 

The Pirates sent Fienemann back to State College, which wasn’t a good sign for his prospect status.  He served as closer until late July, when he got suspended after being arrested in an incident that involved public intoxication.  He ended up pitching only sixteen and a third innings and held opponents to a .207 average, but his walk and K numbers, weren’t good.

Fienemann doesn’t seem to be making a lot of progress.  He’s shown the ability to throw strikes, except for the brief sample size in 2011, but the low K rates suggest his secondary stuff isn’t developing.  The arrest probably won’t help, either.  If he’s back in 2012 he should get a shot at West Virginia.